it's a wrap.

It's hard to believe summer is almost over {I'm just ignoring the fact it'll be hot here until December}. We spent the weekend house hunting {!!}, scouring the local antique shops, and then relaxing at the beach on Sunday.

It may not come as any surprise that sunscreen in the US is decades behind other countries. It used to be perfectly acceptable {according to the FDA} to label a sunscreen "broad spectrum" even if it provided inadequate UVA protection. Some sunscreens will provide protection from sunburn {UVB}, while allowing UVA rays {ultraviolet radiation that isn't absorbed by the ozone} to damage the skin. Now, new regulations hope to ensure sunscreens labeled "broad spectrum" actually block both UVA and UVB. "UVA" is no longer allowed on the bottle if the sunscreen fails certain tests. The jury is still out on whether sunscreen prevents skin cancer, but research does suggest it does. I'd rather lather up and be wrong than get sunburned {or have the research confirm sunscreen prevents cancer after skipping it}. We use a combo of 30, 50, and 70 SPF, despite all the literature that says over 50 doesn't work. The sunscreen over 50 SPF usually doesn't work simply because we tend to under-apply the higher SPF.

Growing up down here, we're kind of crazy about our sunscreen. So we made sure to pack our faves on Sunday: Sun Bum, Supergoop!, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer {when we're spending a lot of time out in the sun, we prefer this face sunscreen from SkinCeuticals}, and Shiseido Refreshing Sun Protection Spray for Body & Hair {we just use it on our hair}. We still use spray sunscreen, even though its safety is currently in question {there are concerns about inhalation of zinc and other minerals in the spray}, because it's so convenient. Just be sure to check out the label and ingredients on your sunscreen - not all sunscreens are created equal.